not particularly common

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "not particularly common" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe something that is infrequent or not widely encountered. Example: "While many people enjoy classical music, opera is not particularly common among younger audiences."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

29 human-written examples

It may even be that such a tactic is not particularly common.

The Guardian - Books

"That's not particularly common," said Francis Dietz, spokesman for the Air-Conditioning, Heating and Refrigeration Institute (AHRI), an industry group.

The Washington Post

Murder is not particularly common in New Zealand, with more people killed in the mosque attacks last week than are usually killed in an entire year.

The Washington Post

The carbonate mud was produced through the life cycle of green algae, but fossils are not particularly common in these lithologies.

Encyclopedia Britannica

While not particularly common in the less populated areas of the state, urban centers like the aforementioned Hudson County, Newark, and Camden have a tradition of sending their leaders off to Trenton without making them relinquish their jobs at home.

Harvard University

While assaults in schools are not particularly common, an eerily similar series of five knife attacks took place in August and September 2004 in schools and a child care center.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

31 human-written examples

While diesel cars aren't particularly common in the U.S., they're abundant on European roads.

MIT Technology Review

It's got something that isn't particularly common; it'll do in a pinch.

The New York Times - Arts

They aren't particularly common, but they aren't actually too rare either; in fact, according to the Guardian, they've been documented since the early-19th Century.

Forbes

Snow isn't particularly common in Ain Sefra.

HuffPost

Unfortunately, official taxis aren't particularly common, except in the busier shopping and nightlife districts.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "not particularly common" to subtly express that something is infrequent without implying it's extremely rare or completely absent. It's ideal when you want to downplay the rarity.

Common error

Avoid using "not particularly common" when describing something that is virtually nonexistent. This phrase implies some level of occurrence, so choose a stronger expression if the event or object is exceptionally rare.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "not particularly common" functions as an adjectival modifier, specifically an adjective phrase. It qualifies a noun, indicating that the noun's characteristic is less frequent than what is generally expected. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

31%

Science

44%

Academia

6%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

6%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "not particularly common" serves as a nuanced way to indicate that something isn't frequently encountered. As verified by Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and appropriate for use in a variety of contexts. It's more frequent in scientific and news-related domains but sees use across different registers from neutral to professional. When writing, remember that this phrase is best suited for describing something that occurs less often than average, but isn't exceedingly rare. Consider alternatives like "relatively infrequent" or "fairly uncommon" to adjust the level of emphasis on the infrequency. Avoid using it to describe things that are virtually nonexistent.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

fairly uncommon

A more straightforward synonym, directly suggesting a lack of commonality.

relatively infrequent

Focus shifts to a comparison, implying less frequency relative to something else.

somewhat rare

Emphasizes the scarcity of the occurrence, suggesting it is unusual but not entirely absent.

seldom encountered

Focuses on the experience of rarely finding or coming across something.

not especially widespread

Highlights the limited distribution or prevalence of something.

infrequently observed

Highlights the rarity of seeing or noticing something.

moderately unusual

Indicates a departure from the norm, but not to an extreme degree.

not exceptionally prevalent

Similar to widespread, focusing on the degree to which something exists or occurs widely.

not generally typical

Suggests that something does not conform to the usual pattern or expectation.

out of the ordinary

Implies deviation from what is considered normal or routine.

FAQs

What does "not particularly common" mean?

The phrase "not particularly common" means something is not frequently encountered or observed. It suggests a degree of infrequency without implying extreme rarity.

How can I use "not particularly common" in a sentence?

You can use "not particularly common" to describe occurrences, features, or practices that are less frequent than the norm. For example: "While electric cars are gaining popularity, they are "not particularly common" in rural areas."

What can I say instead of "not particularly common"?

You can use alternatives like "relatively infrequent", "somewhat rare", or "fairly uncommon" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "not common" or "not particularly common"?

"Not particularly common" implies a less severe infrequency than simply "not common". The addition of "particularly" softens the statement, suggesting the thing is less frequent than average, but still exists.